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Loris Capirossi’s Suzuki deal a formality

Suzuki boss Paul Denning has confirmed that Loris Capirossi will definitely remain on board a factory GSV-R in the 2009 world championship.

Speaking at a special celebration ahead of Capirossi’s record-breaking 277th GP appearance in Misano this weekend, Denning said: “It is 100 per cent certain that Loris will be with Suzuki next season.”

Although paperwork has still to be signed, Capirossi and Suzuki have agreed terms on a fresh deal, which MCN understands was agreed back at the Laguna Seca GP in America in late July.

Capirossi’s manager Carlo Pernat said: “Everything is agreed.”

An announcement on Capirossi’s new deal could be made during this weekend’s Misano GP, where he will beat Alex Barros’s record of 276 GP appearances.

The future of current team-mate Chris Vermeulen is still unclear, with negotiations on-going. The Aussie has also been linked with a move to the Gresini Honda squad to partner Alex de Angelis, who is close to a new deal.

The latest rumour is that Honda will offer Shinya Nakano a test and development ride next season, with Yuki Takahashi moving up from 250s to Andrea Dovizioso’s JIR Honda team.